SFG75
Well-Known Member
Here in the states, the "reading wars" have erupted periodicially. There are numerous sites about both philosophies. An excellent article on both views, as well as their respective strengths and weaknesses, can be found on a professor at Northern Arizona's website.
Whole language
*"Sight-reading"
*Kids learn by seeing the word and hearing the word pronounced
*"Top down" learning whereby the reader constructs meaning out of words from prior experiences
Phonics:
*"bottom-up" reading where kids decode the meaning of a text
*Words are broken down into subparts
*Students learn how to spell out words using correct sounds.
Some evidence to consider
-Study on whole language effectiveness
-Whole language primer
Phonics supplemental materials
Reading rockets article on phonics
Pro-phonics article
U.K. phonics effectiveness studies
In learning how to read, I was a "whole language" learner. I used books with supplemental records to memorize words and their meaning(cognitive psychology here ) to me helped me to use that in the correct manner. If made a spelling or pronunciation error, my parents would correct me on the spot and I learned the given word at that very moment.
Not every reading program works for everyone, so I guess the question is this-When it comes down to getting results, which is more effective in creating better readers?
Whole language
*"Sight-reading"
*Kids learn by seeing the word and hearing the word pronounced
*"Top down" learning whereby the reader constructs meaning out of words from prior experiences
Phonics:
*"bottom-up" reading where kids decode the meaning of a text
*Words are broken down into subparts
*Students learn how to spell out words using correct sounds.
Some evidence to consider
-Study on whole language effectiveness
-Whole language primer
Phonics supplemental materials
Reading rockets article on phonics
Pro-phonics article
U.K. phonics effectiveness studies
In learning how to read, I was a "whole language" learner. I used books with supplemental records to memorize words and their meaning(cognitive psychology here ) to me helped me to use that in the correct manner. If made a spelling or pronunciation error, my parents would correct me on the spot and I learned the given word at that very moment.
Not every reading program works for everyone, so I guess the question is this-When it comes down to getting results, which is more effective in creating better readers?